To send off this year's Women's History Month with a bang, we thought it would be pretty cool to show you some of the most iconic girl bands of all time. Contrary to popular belief, women have always been a part of the music industry. In fact, the concept of a commercial all-female musical act has been around since the 1920s, beginning with the Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce. The trio paved the way for women in music and set the tone of the modern girl group we have today. Sound interesting? Well, read on, because we've got some even cooler connections you'll definitely want to hear about.
10. The Pussycat Dolls
If you grew up in the 2000s, you certainly remember The Pussycat Dolls. Their signature 'bad girl' sound was the soundtrack of the decade. Their 2006 hit, "Buttons" was living rent-free in everyone's head, and honestly, it still does for many of us. However, these girls were versatile. While they produced confident pop hits like "Buttons" and "Don't Cha", they also released deeply emotional tracks like, "I Hate This Part" and "Stickwitu". This is a group that proved they had insane range and they weren't fooling around.
9. Twice
We can't talk about girl groups without talking about Twice. This innovative hyper-girly K-pop group took girl power to another level with their debut in 2015. While they weren't the first or last group to include both Korean and Japanese members, the band is well-known for being one of the most accepting of different cultures. The friendships between group members are known to be some of the strongest, leading to Twice's genuine empowering sound. Additionally, the group isn't afraid to experiment with different genres and themes. In a short ten years, Twice has influenced the new wave of K-pop in ways they might have never expected, cutting a path for artists to be more creative in the mainstream.
8. Fifth Harmony
Are you a Camila Cabello fan? Well, did you know she got her start in a little five-girl group called Fifth Harmony? If you aren't familiar with the band, they debuted in 2013 after forming on the music television show, The X Factor. And let me tell you, these are some of the most incredible live vocalists you will ever hear. The group's existence was a godsend for those who appreciate genuine vocal talent. Despite the group's falling out in 2018, each of Fifth Harmony's members have created vibrant and impressive solo projects. Camila Cabello has produced several radio hits while Normani is working with big names like Calvin Harris. Lauren Jauregui, Dinah Jane, and Ally Brooke continue to release music too, and ALL of it is good. So if you haven't heard those solo tracks, give them a listen! There's your homework for today!
7. Le Sserafim
Remember that new wave of K-pop we talked about earlier? Okay, Le Sserafim is the embodiment of that new wave. The only reason this group ranks higher than Twice is because they took Twice's cultural influence to another level. As a very new group debuting in 2022, Le Sserafim has already shattered several glass ceilings. The band is comprised of five members hailing from Korea, Japan, and the United States. Using their unique blend of cultures, Le Sserafim is known for recording in three languages. And I don't mean different versions of the same song (although, they do that too.). No, this group is known to switch languages as frequently as every other line. It keeps the music fresh and understandable from multiple perspectives. This is a group you NEED to watch, as they exude that creative energy of Hallyu 4.0.
6. Little Mix
Remember that show where Fifth Harmony was formed, The X Factor? Well, here's another brilliant group who rose to stardom on the platform. As a matter of fact, Little Mix actually won the competition in 2011. They broke ground as the first group to do so, as all previous winners had been solo artists. Following their success, they went on to release six studio albums and six UK Top 5 hits with, "Cannonball", "Wings", "Shoutout to My Ex", "Sweet Melody", and "Black Magic". Additionally, Little Mix is credited with reigniting a girl group renaissance throughout the 2010s in the UK and even created their own talent-based series, Little Mix: The Search in 2020. Although the iconic quartet has been on hiatus since the end of their "Confetti" tour in 2022, the band is still very much together. So, don't worry, there's always hope for a comeback!
5. TLC
Okay, this one's for our 90s kids. Debuting in 1990, TLC released some of the most memorable girl power hits to date. This is a group that really sparked a sense of independence in girls and inspired us to know our worth. While a lot of music at the time was about loving others, TLC made music about loving yourself. With hits like "No Scrubs" teaching listeners never to settle for less and "Unpretty" diving into the pressures of modern beauty standards, TLC proved to be much more than a group of talented singers and dancers. They had real depth in their lyrics. They taught us 90s babies how to be stubborn and strong, and we're forever grateful.
4. BlackPink
The ever-legendary girl group, BlackPink stands proud as the world's most popular all-female K-pop group, and second-most popular K-pop group of all time, just behind BTS. The group debuted in 2016, showcasing their signature style in the form of loud, energetic pop bangers like "Boombayah" and "Whistle". However, that's only half of the hype. BlackPink is often praised for its members' unique vocal talent. They provide more of a 'cursive' vocal sound than other girl groups, with diverse cultures similar to that of Le Sserafim. Each of the band's four members hails from South Korea, Thailand, and New Zealand, bringing a unique blend of talent and experience to the fold. BlackPink runs so Le Sserafim can sprint, and to be fair, they're both impeccably amazing artists. However, we have to rank BlackPink higher for their sheer impact on K-pop and pop music as a whole.
3. The Supremes
Of course, the modern girl band wouldn't exist without the efforts of classic icons like The Supremes. That's why these gorgeous girls are at number three. The soulful group rose to fame in the 1960s during the Motown era. With Diana Ross as a prominent member, it's no surprise their music has been beloved for roughly seven decades. The Supremes are credited with paving the way for African-American artists, and especially women, to shine in the spotlight. Even if you don't think you know The Supremes, you know The Supremes. With hits like "You Can't Hurry Love", "Baby Love", and "Stop! In the Name of Love", this band's sound is completely synonymous with the late-60s sound. Their legacy is truly unforgettable.
2. Destiny's Child
Okay, we know you've been waiting for this. Let's talk about Destiny's Child. We all know Beyonce. We all love Beyonce. But are you aware of how she got her start? Destiny's Child was a pop/R&B group consisting of three members, including the Queen Bey herself. Similarly to TLC and even debuting the same year (1990), Destiny's Child focused many of their lyrical themes around independence and self-worth. Hits like "Survivor", "Independent Woman", and "Say My Name", kept up the 90s and 2000s' girl power that still flows through our veins today. Of course, let's talk about the obvious impact. If you're reading this blog, you already know. The legendary Beyonce Knowles is the most Grammy-awarded artist in history with 35 awards. She has charmed decades with genre-breaking, earth-shattering talent, and it all started because of a little girl group called Destiny's Child.
1. Spice Girls
Finally, the moment you've been waiting for, it's time to talk about the most iconic girl group of all time, The Spice Girls! If you think somehow, you've missed this UK icon, let me refresh your memory. The Spice Girls were formed in 1993 via auditions for a girl group to compete with the mega-popular boy bands of the 90s. In 1996, they produced one of the most successful pop songs of all time, "WannaBe". But the group was more than their music. The Spice Girls gave women and girls someone to identify with. Each member had a unique appearance and personality, leading to audiences choose a member to represent them personally. You might have seen those online quizzes before. Which Spice Girl are you? Are you Baby Spice, Sporty Spice, Scary Spice, Ginger Spice, or Posh Spice? The concept of the group was so popular that it made them the top touring all-female group from 1998 all the way to 2020.
There are so many more iconic girl bands that we hated to leave off of this list, so it was a tough decision. There are just too many talented groups! However, I'd like to give some honorable mentions to NewJeans, 2ne1, The Ronettes, The Shirelles, Girls' Generation, and every other girl band out there who deserves all the same love! So, what did you think of our list? Let us know on any of our socials below!
Written By Shelbi Baker
*copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.